Police warn nearby residents about possible repeat home invasion

BERN TWP., Pa. - Police are urging people to be on alert after a 92-year-old woman and her great niece were held up at gunpoint inside their own home.

The robbery happened around 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the 400 block of South Tulpehoken Road in Bern Twp., Berks Co., police said.

The robber cut the power to the home and managed to enter the residence undetected, investigators said.

"And as one of the occupants of the home went in search of an electric candle for lighting in the house, encountered the individual," said Chief Wesley R. Waugh, Bern Twp. Police Dept.

The bandit then pointed a gun, police said, demanded money, and escaped with an undetermined amount of jewelry.

The robber is described as a thinly built man, standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and spoke with a Hispanic accent.

"I think my advice would be, if your power goes out in your house you want to look out the window and see if your neighbors have power, and if they do something is amiss," said Waugh.

Police are urging nearby residents to remain extra vigilant. They also recommend having a fully charged cell phone nearby at all times so that if the electricity should go down, residents won't have a problem contacting police.

If you have any information, contact Crime Alert: Berks County at 877-373-9913.

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